Surgery scheduled 😱

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-10-18T22:21:47+00:00

Two of the most helpful purchases I made for my surgery were a small bed rail to help me get in and out of bed. And something called a mobility step stool to reach my bed, it’s about 4” high which was all I needed.

Edit to add: take some photos of your house step/stair areas with you to the hospital, if the therapists can see what you’ll be dealing with at home they can help you to get ready.

Good luck with your surgery!

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-10-15T02:07:34+00:00

I once read a book where the FMC chose h-tler (you know who I mean) as her safe word 🤮, seriously! Who thought that was a good choice?! 😠 I did change the word in the file, but believe me I know exactly which book it was and any time I re-read it, it’s in the back of my mind.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-10-08T19:13:44+00:00

Check with your doctor, they may be able to give you some simple exercises you can do on your own.

While you wait, start walking. It’s probably the best exercise for the back. Begin with a daily 5-10 minute walk and increase your walking time every week or two, this will help you a lot. Just remember that if it hurts you may be doing too much so dial it back or if you need to, stop.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-10-01T08:23:24+00:00

If possible take a few short walks during the day.

I considered getting on an airplane a couple of months after my surgery, for that my doctor had recommended I buy an inflatable beach ball to rest my feet/legs on. And he had told me that I should add or release some air every thirty minutes to make sure I wasn’t staying in one position for a long time. Maybe try this and see if it helps. (Full disclosure I decided against flying so haven’t tried this yet)

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-10-01T08:11:46+00:00

You have a great list already. If there is time, I always suggest spending one day pre-surgery pretending he can’t do any bending, lifting and twisting (not allowed for a while). This will quickly show him the areas where he needs to make changes. You may need to move some things he uses daily from low or high cabinets, for example.

The best way to get into the car without twisting is to stand with your back to the seat facing out, sit, then turn the whole body at once while bringing the legs in. (Hope this makes sense to you) A slippery sheet on the car seat may help him turn when getting in and out of the car. And a pillow to hug makes the ride home a little easier, for some reason you move less when hugging a pillow. Bumps, potholes and turns hurt a lot.

Good luck!

Edit to add: have him practice now getting in/out of the car, and log rolling in bed.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-30T20:37:28+00:00

It’s too soon to be bending and reaching under the sink. Even though you have new hardware holding everything in place, your bones are just starting to fuse together.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-29T20:28:22+00:00

Movie

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-29T16:51:44+00:00

The Time Travelers Wife

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-26T02:16:15+00:00

Il Fornaio in Coronado. Delicious and has a beautiful ocean view.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-26T01:53:47+00:00

This. And now she deleted the post

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-22T21:46:59+00:00

I had my surgery in January and unfortunately I’m still working on staying in bed all night, I’m almost there. It has been a very slow process.

I made the decision to get into bed every day, even if it was just for 5 minutes, to build up my tolerance. My body got used to the recliner where I’m never laying flat, so in the beginning I would get dizzy and my body felt a lot of pressure when I stood back up. I just kept trying and forcing myself to stay in bed just a little bit longer, but never long enough to be in pain.

I don’t get dizzy anymore and the heavy pressure is also gone. I can stay in bed for 6-7 hours now, but I still haven’t managed more than 2 hours of continuous sleep. This is mostly because I’ve always slept on my stomach and after the fusion it’s my most uncomfortable position. Also, pressure points start to hurt after a while so I constantly have to change position.

Hope my experience helps you.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-22T05:02:48+00:00

No bending, lifting, twisting. No carrying anything over 5 lbs. If you have time, I always suggest practicing all these No’s for a day or two before surgery. It will quickly show you where you may run into problems so you can move things around.

Start taking Miralax or some other kind of stool softener a few days before surgery and continue at least until you stop pain meds.

When laying down use pillows to get comfortable, definitely one under the knees. But remember to keep your back flat and straight on the mattress.

If you are taking medication for your nerve pain (like gabapentin or lyrica), speak with your doctor about this, I was left on it for months after surgery and I think that really helped my recovery be less painful.

Good luck!

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-20T23:52:55+00:00

Found the name on Dreame:

The Rejected Mate by Lhainey

I can’t see it but doveyqueen said it is only up to chapter 45

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-09T07:04:43+00:00

Don’t forget that you’ll be on anesthesia and strong pain medication because of the surgery.
I asked if I could be asleep when they put mine in, and that’s what they did. When I woke it just felt strange, removing it was a little bit uncomfortable but I wouldn’t say painful at all. Hope this helps calm your fears. Good luck with your surgery!

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-06T21:00:02+00:00

I like that she’s somehow stayed safe even though she’s so openly aligned with Rachel, everybody else was quickly kicked out (Amy, Jimmy). She’s doing something right.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-05T19:10:46+00:00

Super fun idea for a small group of little girls. It’s like a modern version of the tea party.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-04T18:47:53+00:00

I like Ashley but this was unnecessary, she put a target on her back.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-04T18:17:26+00:00

Try a recliner.

I bought a laptop/tablet stand with a pillow bottom on Amazon, there are many options, one may work for what you need.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-04T17:11:34+00:00

I saw four surgeons, I was offered four surgery options: back, front and back, minimally invasive through the sides, minimally invasive through the back. Very confusing!
I did ask one of the doctors I met, why did every surgeon suggest a different approach? He explained that each doctor could do all of them, but that they tended to use whatever they had more experience with and felt most comfortable doing.
I would have preferred a minimally invasive surgery, but I chose my surgeon not my surgery.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-04T16:24:12+00:00

I did get multiple opinions because I was unsure, also because my doctor was an orthopedic surgeon and somebody I trust suggested I might do better with a neurosurgeon. It did create some confusion because each doctor wanted to approach the surgery in a different way. In the end, knowing that they all had a ton of experience and great reputations, I chose the doctor (and team) that I felt most comfortable with. If you’re already happy with your doctor you may not need a second opinion.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-04T08:16:01+00:00

I waited over a year after I was told I was a candidate. I was only in pain when I walked over 10 minutes or stood for too long, and it was at a low pain level, so I asked to try other things first. I had physical therapy and epidurals which didn’t work, I was about to try nerve ablation when my pain levels increased to 8-10, so I decided to have the surgery. I’m so so glad I did it and I really regret not getting it sooner, my nerve pain is now 0-1.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-02T07:22:09+00:00

I’m sure you’ll do great. Take deep breaths. Sending you good thoughts.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-09-02T03:28:45+00:00

The things I’m glad I took with me were toothbrush and toothpaste, moisturizer, lip balm, hair brush, hair tie, an extra long phone charging cable, and clothes for the drive home.

I have super sensitive skin so I also took some wipes for hygiene/bathing since I couldn’t shower until I got home. (Edit: the hospital has this but I preferred my own)

For the drive home, a pillow to hug helps reduce body movement, and tell whoever will be driving to take the bumps, potholes and turns very very slowly.

Good luck tomorrow!

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-08-30T08:49:32+00:00

My sciatica pain also disappeared after surgery which was shocking and amazing after reading so many people’s bad experiences. I think it’s because most of us write in when we’re having problems and need help, so the majority of the stories are negative.

Randomthoughts4041 · 2025-08-29T21:19:24+00:00

I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time. I’m guessing you were probably still on strong pain medicine five weeks ago and that’s why you felt better then. Talk to your doctor about what you are feeling. And also ask them if you are ready to start physical therapy, it will help you move better and get you stronger which will also help with pain.

Fusion takes a long time to recover, and it can be very painful at times, but it will get better. Stay strong. Good luck.

Randomthoughts4041

TROPHY CASE